| Fly half - Dual registered
for Gloucester and Moseley. At 19, in 2007 Tristan impressed everyone in
the England Counties set up, following performances for Cinderford and
Kent, despite only playing rugby union seriously for a couple of years,
he was noted then as "a rare talent, his skilled handling and nimble
footwork quickly earning him the respect of his more senior team-mates,
despite being the youngest member of the squad.
He first took up the game at Sutton Vallence School near Maidstone, but
found that his talents were more suited to hockey and focused on that
sport from 12 to 18. During that time he played for the South East and
Kent, but when, as a 16-year-old, rugby and hockey started to compete
for his time, he decided that the oval ball game was the one for him.
He joined Sevenoaks to be with some of his schoolmates when he was 17
and his decision to favour rugby also brought him Under 18 opportunities
with London & South East and there was even a session with an England
Under 18 squad. That experience persuaded him that moving to Hartpury
College might be a good way to develop his rugby and a career in the
game is his ambition.
"I did a pre-season at Bristol, but when the season came along I hadn’t
had much game time and Cinderford came along and invited me to join
them." he said. "I played a few games for them and the County invite
came from there.
Said Counties Manager Jim Robinson: "I’m really impressed with him. He
handles beautifully and is very light on his feet, a player to look out
for!"
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